Spring Creek Basin Mustangs

Do you love how Hollywood’s rich dun coat reflects the grasses and forbs still poking above the pillowed snow?

Even in winter’s white, we find gold.

One side of Sundance reflects the golden glow of late light off the recognizable walls of Spring Creek canyon while the other side reflects the shadowed blue light of fresh snow. Love.

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However, on yet another side, there’s nothing to love about BLM’s ridiculous and continuing notion that spaying mares and gelding stallions is the way to “solve” its wild-horse-and-burro “overpopulation problem.” (Though at least we finally seem to have gotten the agency to acknowledge that it doesn’t have an overpopulation problem, it has a reproduction issue (!?).)

Tomorrow – Jan. 14, 2016 – is the last day to comment on BLM’s plan for White Mountain Herd Management Area’s mustangs. Read more and add your personalized comments via American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign’s website.

Read more about the issue on Rachel Reeves’ excellent blog and Carol Walker’s excellent blog. In fact, read these first, then use the link to AWHPC’s site to comment – or follow information from Rachel’s and Carol’s blogs to email your comments directly to BLM.

Fortunately, here in Colorado’s Spring Creek Basin and Little Book Cliffs and Sand Wash Basin, BLM managers listen to their advocates and have implemented ongoing PZP programs to limit (not stop) reproduction for the benefit of the mustangs on these ranges. BLM in other places – including in Wyoming! – also have figured out the benefits of PZP.

It’s really impossible to understand how these successes aren’t translating within the agency. Which means other factors – political reasons, anyone!? – are contributing factors, and given BLM’s (public) “best science” policy, politics should not have any place in its management and protection of our wild horses and burros.

This young stallion, grandson of our majestic Grey/Traveler, has the look of eagles, does he not?

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“Exploration has a lot to do with preparation, frustration, disappointment, and unpredictability.” ~Swiss pilot Bertrand Piccard, from “3 Questions” in the January 2016 issue of National Geographic.

Exploration in “the Disappointment” celebrates unpredictability and counters frustration with the joy of wild life. If you are prepared to find wonder – if you are open to wonder – you will find it, and you will appreciate it. Simple as that. Piccard also says that “quality of life” is where exploration is needed most.

We find quality inspiration in a variety of things and ways. Long live the spirit of exploration – especially in our big back yards.

Is there any more immediate symbol of freedom than a mustang running with his mane flying?

Really, it’s hard to think of one.

Sundance does like to wave at his fan club. Here, he’s having a little chat with his buddy Hayden.

Seneca turns on the jets to fly through the snow!

(Lower) Disappointment Valley got a disappointing amount of snow from the last little system that floated over Southwest Colorado. In fact, because of the warm temperatures, we lost more snow to the soil (mud) than accumulated on top of the old snow. But it’s still early in the winter, so to get this moisture settling deep (hopefully) into the ground really is nothing to complain about! You can practically hear the guzzling of the life-giving moisture!